Way to Go, Team!

I've just walked across the street from Hotel del Jardín, still humming the Graduation Song that finished the SanPa English Dept gang's presentation of Technology with a Humanistic Touch that closed the day's session. I can't stress enough how impressed I was. Hey, Janine, Adela, Cecilia, Alina and Omar... YOU ROCK!

You smoothly presented tons of material showing the result of your work with student-produced texts, podcasts, blogs, movies, trailers, photo stories... etc with such poise and honesty that different ideas came to my mind, like...

Cecilia, it's amazing how you've gotten hooked on podcasting, explored it, adopted it, and, on the way, pushed the school to update their equipment with mikes. Looks like a nice new area for further exploration (and future presentations!).

Alina, while you showed the use of blogs, you also related your versatility and insight with a in-depth comparison/contrast between Lost and The Lord of the Flies. Oh, and the opening clip made by your students about 'Heroes' was truly compelling and thought-provoking.

Adela, your work with younger kids using tech shows this is not something for highschoolers only. You've shown an array of possibilities applied to sixth graders, which the audience appreciated rewarding your kids' movie clip with a heart-felt applause.

Janine, what am I doing teaching A2? You should take over right away! I was really moved by the podcast of Keats' poem. I liked your honesty showing amazing tech products AND that you're still learning! That must have made an impression on several in the audience.

Omar, master! You spoke calmly and presented your material almost business-like to a captive audience whose oohs and aahs showed how surprised they were. You showed your true passion for what you do, and also helped everyone see that it only takes a determined teacher to do so much and that it can happen in public schools as well, not just in a school where the students' socioeconomic background makes it easier to use tech.

This was the only presentation in the whole evening that inspired four or five rounds of applause while it was still going on. And that was because you showed not just a long list of activities but rather the result of the work reflected on your students' production.

Thank you for such a pristine display of professionalism. I feel so proud of working with you!